Gareth Southgate’s side have now reached successive European Championship finals and are into their first-ever major tournament showdown on foreign soil. A victory over Spain would truly bring football home.
But England have been handed a bad omen ahead of Sunday’s final by tennis star Djokovic. The Serb has reached the Wimbledon final, where he faces a rematch of last year’s clash against Carlos Alcaraz.
In 2021, Djokovic defeated Italian Matteo Berrettini hours before England were beaten by Italy in their Euro 2020 final. Three years on, fate has brought the Wimbledon and European Championship finals together on the same date again.
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And Djokovic once again faces an opponent of the same nationality as England's opponents. Spaniard Alcaraz will seek to retain his Wimbledon crown having beaten Djokovic in last year’s final.
However, if Djokovic defeats the 21-year-old then England fans may fear the worst ahead of facing Spain later in the evening. They will hope that Alcaraz can repeat his feat of last year and win his fourth Grand Slam title.
The 37-year-old has faced boos at the Championships this year. More jeers during Sunday’s final will only spur him on to defeat Alcaraz.
Gareth Southgate and England's players might be keen for Novak Djokovic to lose his Wimbledon final (Image: Getty)
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Meanwhile, Southgate wants England to embrace the normality of playing in a major tournament final. The Three Lions will channel the experience of the Euro 2020 defeat against Italy, a match lost following a devastating penalty shootout.
The England manager believes there is a different vibe around the camp than there was three years ago.
"There's a different feel [than 2021]. We're now in a different moment as a team, two tournaments on and a lot more big match experience," Southgate told the BBC.
"I guess there was less of a celebration, perhaps less satisfaction at reaching a final. I wouldn't say it becomes run of the mill but it's a little bit more normal for us. That statement in itself is probably a bit ridiculous given our history."